Fitting some raw into sick hubby's non raw diet

[jakrawr14]

Hi all!

I'm looking for some suggestions. Hubby is not raw, loves a good steak and potatoes, but has become a lot more open towards organic and healthy eating. With me prepping the main meal of the day, he doesn't really have a choice. He is having some health issues that I know he could benefit from including a little more raw food in his diet. If I leave fruit around, he'll often eat it (even if it's mixed with non-raw food - the man likes fresh raspberries in his cocoa puffs - it's a start).

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions regarding "friendly" raw dishes I could start offering in addition to the usual meat. He'd also benefit greatly from a reduction in starch in his diet (he has Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune arthritic condition caused (hopefully - we're still testing) by an overabundance in a certain gut flora that flourishes when starches are introduced to the system. I think some raw dishes would help with his fatigue and balancing his system, but this is something that needs to be done gently, so...

Anyone with any ideas or dishes they serve to their non-raw families that they love, I'd appreciate your help!!!

[seRAWnity]

Maybe you could try a big garden salad with his meat instead of potatoes... some nights I just make a huge fruit salad and we all sit around put on a family movie and munch on the salad..

Raw tacos get devoured in our family, and they are quick and simple! Also Zucchini noodles with pesto is amazing!

We've found as a family the fancy gourmet raw meals don't work for us most of the time, so we create lots of varieties of salads, juices and smoothies for the everyday stuff....

My husband was a total meat and potatoes man, but over the years I would bring up the stuff I had learned about our bodies and non raw foods in conversation, he actually listened! Read and talk, some of it might sink in for him... I also bring up little facts here and there, about our future plans and how our health will effect them, I pointed out the other day that if we live to be in our 90's we will be married for 70 years... and if we don't take care of ourselves we'll never see that... and to me that would be amazing!! ..Those are just some things that have helped me get through to a thick headed brainwashed American male... lol.. :)

[pnj]

If he's open to eating fruit/veggies that alone is a huge start.

One thing that got me to start eating veggies (I Loathe them) was veggie tacos. Not fully raw, but I make them with lots of raw veggies. I think many people get turned off by things if they are pushed or forced or there is too much change, too quickly. So go easy on him. :)

My tacos are corn tortillas (not raw)
Poblano peppers grilled on the grill (not raw, but not meat..;))
Carrots, shredded.
Red peppers, diced.
Jalapenos, diced. (sometimes I grill them as well, brings out some sugars)
Onion, diced.
Sprouts.
Lettuce or Red Cabbage, Finely chopped.

I used to use Tofu as well. Sometimes I'll use lettuce for my taco shell. Basicly, it's a salad in taco form. :) But for me, there is no way I could have eatin that food if it was placed in a bowl. Eating it like a taco really changed what it was that I was eating and I was able to actually eat it without getting sick. oh yea, don't forget the hot sauce!

[Mad Mex]

I can understand, that rawfood is creepy for the most SADers, my wife is SAD-eater herself, but she likes my green smoothies, not all of them but most.

Try to make him tasty green smoothies, he can drink it with his steak, so he got all important nutritions with his SAD-food and drinking is easier than eating.

Saludos,

Marcel :cool:

[JennaHoneyBear]

make delicious veggie dips! i just made a ranch dressing that i LOVE. my co-workers also liked it! They were very surprised, lol :)

[jakrawr14]

make delicious veggie dips! i just made a ranch dressing that i LOVE.

Oooooo! I've been looking for a good version. Have been using organic seasoning packets - they're not bad, but the flavor tends to disappear after a few days... Mind sharing your recipe?

Thank you all for your suggestions! The raw tacos are a great idea, something I had never before considered! This whole thing will be about compromise, but, as long as he's eating some raw, I'm ok with that. Yeah, raw fruits and veggies aren't too hard - he's Italian, so there's already bruschetta, raw tomatoes and basil with cold pressed olvie oil, olives, and other cold items, so that's not a huge issue. Smoothies are something I want to work in, too, as they're a staple for me. Any more suggestions are very, very welcome. :))))

[JennaHoneyBear]

here's a ranch recipe from Snowdrop

"for those missing that hidden valley feeling. soak time 1-2 hrs
5 Minutes to Prepare

Ingredients

1-1/2 c nuts (cashew or mac or combo)
soak them for a creamier dressing (1-2 hr is fine, then drain)
3/4 - 1 c filtered water for blending
3 T lemon juice
(translates into approx 1/2 lemon)
1/3 c cider vinegar
1/3 c evoo
3 T agave ( or 3 soaked dates)
2 cloves garlic
1 t garlic pwd
3 t onion pwd
1 t dill
1 T sea salt
1/2 t basil
and to add after it's done:
1/4 c finely minced parsley
another 1/2 t dill, minced

Directions
makes 3 cups
serving size 2 T
vitamix blend all ingredients till creamy and smooth except the last 2,
then once blended, stir in the last 2 ingredients.
thickens in fridge.
thin to desired consistency if using as a dressing- or toss into wet lettuce leaves as is."

[revdrcyn]

Green Smoothie - that's what I do for my SAD overweight husband who is afflicted with diabetes, osteoporosis, emphysema, and acquired hemophilia.

Every morning, I make 32 oz and give him 8 - he actually likes it!